Netanyahu to address US Congress

Washington: US House Speaker John Boehner will invite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address a joint meeting of the US Congress during a visit to Washington next month.

Boehner will extend the formal invitation to Netanyahu once Congress approves the joint session, Boehner's office said on Thursday. Soon after the announcement, Netanyahu confirmed to his Likud party in Tel Aviv that he had been invited to address both houses of Congress.

"Next month I will have the opportunity to air the main parts of our diplomatic and defence policies during my visit in the United States," he said.

Netanyahu did not hint at new ideas he could float on how frozen peace talks with the Palestinians might be restarted.

No specific date has yet been announced for Netanyahu's visit by the Obama administration. Boehner said it would be a great honour for Congress to have Netanyahu speak.

"America and Israel are the closest of friends and allies, and we look forward to hearing the prime minister's views on how we can continue working together for peace, freedom and stability," he said.